Ceiling tile with sound attenuating and visual effects



April 30, 1963 M, J, PEsTlA 687,577

April 30, 1963 M, J. PREsTlA CEILING TILE WITH SOUND ATTENUATING ANDVISUAL EFFECTS Filed Jan. 18, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. Maf/,4aJPQfJr/A United States Patent O 3,087,577 CEILING TILE WITH SOUNDATTENUATING AND VISUAL EFFECTS Michael I. Prestia, 44 Broadway, JerseyCity 6, NJ. Filed Jan. 18, 1960, Ser. No. 3,078 6 Claims. (Cl. 181-33)rIlhis invention relates to a novel ceiling tile of a construction whichso reilects light that the ceiling gives a viewer the striking visualimpression of a moving or changing surface, much like that of :a tinesilk fabric. This visu-al effect is :accompanied by a muting of audiblesound by the ceiling tiles, which deadening of objectionable noise isalso due in part at least, to the .tile construction.

Ceiling ltiles have been made of cellulosic materials, usually a roughpaperboard, and have sometimes been perforated or otherwise surfacemodified to improve their sound `deadening action and to make themsuitably decorative or ornamental. Ceilings, walls and lloors have beendecorated or enhanced with designs which include pluralities ofsubstantially parallel curved lines. However, never before have ceilingtiles been made of the structure described herein. The ceiling tiles ofthe prior art would not have the desired properties of th-ose of thisinvention nor would they be useful in replacement thereof.

In accordance with the present invention ther-e is provided a ceilingtile which simultaneously helps to deadcn undersirable noise andpresents to a viewer ever-changing curved areas of light and shadow,giving the `visual impression of a silk-like surface, comprising a.substantially flat basey capable of being nailed, stapled or cementedto a ceiling, means on such base foi interconnecting said tile withother such tiles for assembly on -a ceiling and a surface porti-oncontaining alternating projecting and depressed curvilinearly dispose-dareas concentrically dispositioned in units comprising Ia plurality ofprojected `and depressed curves, ending where they contact other suchunits. In greater particularity, Isuch a ceiling tile co prises Iasubstantially flat |base capable of being nailed, stapled -or cementedto a ceiling, means on said base `for interlocking said tile with othersuch tiles for assembly on a ceiling and a surface portion :of soundabsorbent material containing alternating projecting land ydepressedcurvilinearly disposed areas concentrically dispositioned in units of atleast about ten pairs of projected and depressed curves, said unitsendingrwhere they contact other units, the curvatures of most of theunits :being less than semicircular, the projecting areas `being atleast one millimeter high and being repeated at least every centimeter,with the top of the projectingycurve being of lesser :area than thebottom, said tile surface projections and depressions beinguninterrupted by other projections or depressions which wouldtend todestroy the silk-like appearance thereof.

The great advantages of the invention land the various objects of itwill be apparent from the Ifollowing detailed description, takentogether with the accompanying drawing inV which:

FIG. l is a plan view of fa ceiling tile with only line representationsof the projecting curves `'being given;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section of .such tile along plane 2 2;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan of a corner section of :a ceiling ltile,showing the upper face vand sides of the projections, Ias well as thedepressions;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical section of a corner portion of a tiletaken along plane 4 4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of `another embodiment of the invention, againwith only line representations of the 2 projecting curves fbeinggiven,but this ltime with projections spaced farther apart and m'th openingsor perforations inthe depressions;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section of such tile along plane 6 6;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan of a corner section of such la ceiling tile,showing the upper face and sides of the projections, as well as thedepressions; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical section of al 'corner por` tion of suchtile along 'plane 8 8.

Numeral 11 represents a ceiling tile which helps deaden undesirable roomnoise and -at the same time is of distinctive and attractive 'appearancesince it presents to a viewer ever-changing curved areas o-f light andshadow, giving the impression of a silk-like surface. Around the borderof ceiling ltile 11 there extend tongues 13 and groove portions 15.Tiles 11 are nailed, stapled or cemented to `a ceiling or furringstrips, not shown. If cemented, the adhesive is applied to thesubstantially flat base 17 which is the obverse off fthe curved surfaceto be described later. It may be considered .that tongues 13 and grooveportions 15 are also parts of base 17; the ltiles may be cemented,nailed or stapled at those points. In assembly of the tiles of a ceilingin the conventional manner only the curved portion of the tile will bevisible to a viewer and that will meet very closely wi-th the curvedportion of adjacent tiles, giving the appearance of a ceiling madeentirely of sections or units of curved concentric ridges. I-f it isdesired, the edges of the tiles may be beveled not shown, which wouldinterrupt the continui-ty of the ceiling pattern. The present tiles mayalso be employed as only part of a ceiling tile pattern, lalthough it ishighly preferred, for maximum effect, to construct the entire ceilingthereof. However the tiles may be positioned or placed on a ceiling, theinterconnecting or interlocking means on the tiles, which is preferablythe tongue and groove sides thereof, will keep the ceiling ilat andregular in appearance and will not allow some tiles to sag or to losecontact with the ceiling.

The invented tiles contain alternating projecting and depressedcurvilinearly ydisposed areas which are concentrically dispositioned ingroups which are referred to herein =as units; such units end -wherethey contact other units land all contain fa plunalifty of projected anddepressed curves. Curved projection 19 is trapezoidal in cross section,having a flat top 21 of lesser area than the base thereof 2.3. Slantedsides 25 are well suited for best light reflection. Sides 25 bound adepression 27 Which sepia# rates projections or ridges 19.

In the drawing one embodiment of the invention is illustrated well byFIG. Il. In this view only the center lines of the ridge tops are shown,to best illustrate the disposition of the tile face curvature, becauseof the closeness of the -ridges in the tile drawn and the confusingappearance that would result if all surfaces of projections anddepressions were shown. The tile drawn is a reduction of -a tilemeasuring one foot by one foot but other sizes, larger and smaller, canalso be used, providing that .the ridge .and groove measurements arecorrect for good sound absorption and Ithe startling visual effecttypical of the invented tiles. As will be seen from the drawing theridges are wavy curves parallel to other ridges and depressions. Thesecurves, for a satisfactory .tile in accordance with the invention, mustbe in units of at least tenf pairs of ridges and depressions; theseunits should be less than semicircular and are usually more than thirtyde'- grees. The projections `are at least a millimeter high and arerepeated .at least every centimeter, the ratio of ridge height tospacing being preferably from 1:1 to 1:7. Usually neither height nordistance betweeny ridges should be less than l millimeter nor greaterthan 5- millimeters.

The units of curves may be circular arcs; the parallel curves may have acommon focus which does not move. Alternatively, and lthe alternative ispreferable, the focus may change in a unit but should still be solocated that a line drawn from arc midpoint through the focus for eachportion of the curve Will converge to a point which may be designated asa super focus. Thus, a scalloped shape may be obtained. Rather than havethe arcs of different centers intersect, it is better to have themgently converge, making a wavy curved unit. Furthermore, curves ofdiffent units, that is curves whose bisectors do not pass through aboutthe `same point, may also be blended to avoid the presence of an excessof straight line or angular intersections. A gradual convergence of arcsis illustrated at points 28, 29, and 31 while the more abruptintersection of units is shown at 33, 3S and 37.

In the embodiment of the invention illustra-ted in FlGS. 5-8 the primednumerals have the same significance as the numbers of FIGS. 1-4. It willbe noted that the units of curves contain fewer pairs of curves and alsopossess intermediate openings 39` which, -as shown, pass clear throughthe tile. The holes are so spaced that they seem `to further define thearcs where they pass through the tile at the depressed areas thereof.The holes also serve to confine and deaden undesirable noise.

The ridged tile, when in place on a ceiling, reflects visible radiationnot absorbed in such a way as to cause a continuous shifting and givethe viewer the impression of a silky surface of dancing highlights. Dueto the curves and their disposition the reflections change gradually andalso alter to'all viewers throughout the room. This effect may beincreased or varied by having the ridge sides of a different and lightercolor than the ridge top and/or depression. IIt is also assisted byupwardly directed ceiling ligh-ting and by moving lighting effects. Thislatter method of illumination gives rise to unique and beautifullighting of the ceiling even when the viewer is completely stationary.

The channels in the 4tile surface also serve to confine audibleradiation within them and reflect it to an absorbing surface. Theinwardly directing slanted surfaces refleet sound impinging on them insuch manner that it is deadened and the attenuated radiation diminishessubstantially in amplitude. Where the tile depressions contain openingsthe ridge sides funnel the sound through and further assist in absorbingnoise.

To obtain the desired visual and audio effects the tile surface shouldbe free of other projections and depressions which would tend to destroythe silk-like `appearance of the tile. Such interruptions in the surfacewould 0bviously detract from the special appearance of the tile and alsocould be expected to interfere with the sound absorption because theyreplace the more effective channels of the present tiles.

For both visual and audio activity dimensions and proper-tions of thetile surface features are important. Some of these have already beengiven but all will be summarized here. The projection height anddepression widths should be from 1 millimeter to 1 centimeter,preferably 1 mm. to 5 mm., with a ratio of 1:1 to 1:7. There should beat least such pairs per unit and less than 100, usually less than 50.The holes, preferably circular, in the depressions, should be of y1 to 5mm. diameter. The ridges are preferably trapezoidal in cross section,smaller at the top. Curved units should be less than 180 degrees andmore than 30 degrees, preferably above 45 degrees. If of such dimensions.the tile surfaces are always of satisfactory `appearance and soundabsorbing action.

The invented tiles are made of any suitable construction material. Roughcellulosic fibers may be matted or othenwise deposited or pressed into asheet. These may be coated with a smoother paper or plastic not shown ormay be used in the rough state. Foamed plastics, such as polystyrene,polyurethane and others in either foamed or solid state may be used.Rubber, vinyl, even wood and 4 metal tiles have some use but the soundabsorbent materials, such as the light Weight plastics and fibrouscellulosics are preferred.

The special tiles may be made by cutting or pressing a blank tile intoshape 0r the tile may be molded initially. Alternatively, :the blanktile may have surface ridges applied thereto by a special brush orlining applicator. Such a ridge coating may even be a conventional paintspecially thickened to prevent running together of the ridges. \It ispreferred to compress paper tile blanks to the correct struc-turebetween forming dies. By `this method the roots or depressions are ofgreater density after forming and the ridges are relatively porous.Thus, the thinner parts are of stronger substance and are better able tohave holes molded or drilled or punched in them. The other sec- Itionsof the tile remain porous for better sound absorption. In otherembodiments of :the invention the base and surface portions are ofdifferent materials laminated together, not shown, but they larepreferably both of the same substance.

The tiles may be colored to increase the silk-like effect. Partialcolora-tion, not shown, may be used to increase the contrast and makethe curves even more distinct.

The present tiles are much more attractive than conventional ceilingcovers. The silky appearance gives ceilings an expensive look at littleor no` extra manufacturing cost and also for no substantial extra chargethe tiles are more soundproof. These tiles are ideal for ceilings in`special rooms, social halls, restaurants and night clubs, as well as inthe formal rooms of the home. Unlike conventional pla-ster orplasterboard ceilings, these tiles do not crack or sag; they `arestronger than other ceiling tiles, due in part to` the strength of theseribbed structures. Also due to the rib and channel configurations, thesetiles :do not show dirt badly; in fact, darkening of portions of thetile due to deposition of dust, smoke and so forth, gives the tile ahandsome aged appearance and even better defines the curves of theexposed surface.

The present tiles are vastly superior to` the plain and figured tilesnow available to the public. The ceiling they make is decorative,interesting and functional. The structure is novel `and the concept ofmovement of the design is new.

The invention has been described in conjunction with a description ofpreferred embodiments. The scope of the patent is measured by the claimsand is not restricted to the forms `shown in the drawings.

What is claimed is:

1. A ceiling tile which lsimultaneously helps to deaden undesirablenoise and presents to a viewer ever-changing curved 'areas of light andshadow, giving the visual impression of a silk-like surface, comprisinga substantially flat `base capable of being nailed, stapled or cementedto a ceiling, means on such base for interconnecting said tile withother such tiles for assembly on a ceiling and a. isurface portion ofsound Iabsorbent material containing alternating projecting anddepressed curvilinearly disposed areas concentrically dispositioned inunits comprising a plurality of projected rand depressed curves, endingwhere they contact other such units.

2. A ceiling tile which simultaneously deadens undesirable noise andpresents toy a viewer ever-changing curved areas of light and shadow,giving the visual impression of a silk-like surface, comprising asubstantially flat base capable of being nailed, stapled or cemented toa ceiling, means on such base for interlocking said tile with other suchtiles for assembly on a ceiling and a surface portion of sound absorbentmaterial containing alternating projecting and depressed curvilinearlydisposed iareas concentrically dispositioned in units of at least aboutten pairs of projected and depressed curved surfaces, said units endingwhere they Contact other units, the curvatures of most of the unitsbeing less than semicircular, the projecting areas being at least onemillimeter ausm?? high and being repeated at least every centimeter,with the top of the projected curve being `of lesser area than thebottom, said tile surface projections and depressions beinguninterrupted by other projections or depressions, which would tend todestroy the silk-like appearance thereof.

3. An acoustical ceiling tile which simultaneously deadens undesirablenoise and gives a viewer the visual Iimpression of a silk-like surfaceby presenting to his eyes ever-changing areas of light and shadow whichcornprises a substantially ilat base capable of being nailed, stapled orcemented to a ceiling, means on such base for interlocking said tilewith other such tiles for assembly on a ceiling and a surface portion ofsound absorbent material containing :alternating projecting anddepressed curvilinearly disposed areas concentrically dispositioned inunits of ten to a hundred pairs of projections and depressions insegments of thirty to 180i degrees, which end where they contact lotherunits or the same type, the projections being approximately trapezoidalin cross-section, of height fro-m la millimeter to a centimeter, beingdistributed with the distance between projections being between amillimeter and a centimeter, the tile surface projections anddepressions being uninterrupted by other projections and depressionswhich would destroy the visual impression `given of a silf-like surface.

4. An |acoustical ceiling tile which simultaneously deadens noise andlgives a viewer the visual impression of a silk-like surface bypresenting to his eyes ever-changing areas of reflected light and shadowwhich comprises a substantially flat straight sided, light weight,fibrous base of Isound absorbent material capable of being nailed,stapled or cemented to a ceiling, means on said base for interlockingsaid tile with other such tiles for assembly on a. ceiling yand asurface portion of sound absorbent material which comprises alternating,curvilinearly and concentnically disposed compressed depressed and lessdense projecting areas, in units of ten to a hundred pains ofprojections and `depressions in Isegments of thirty to 180 degrees,which end Where they contact other units of the same type, theprojections being approximately trapezoidal in cross-section, of heightfrom one millimeter to one centimeter, distributed parallel to otherprojections in the same unit as `distances therefrom from one millimeterto one centimeter, the ratio of projection height to said distance being4from about 1:1 to 1:7, said tile surfface projections and depressionsbeing uninterrupted by other projections and depressions which woulddestroy the visual impression given of a silk-like surface.

5. An acoustical ceiling tile which simultaneously deadens undesirablenoise land gives a viewer the visual impression of 4a silk-like surfaceby presenting to his eyes ever-changing areas of reflected light andshadow which comprises a substantially flat, straight sided, lightweight base of sound absorbent material capable of being nailed, stapledor cemented to a ceiling, means on said base for interlocking said tilewith other such tiles for assembly on a ceiling and a surface portion ofsound absorbent .material which is like that of the base and comprisesrepeated parallel alternating projecting and depressed curvilinearlydisposed areas concentrieally dispositioned in units of ten toa hundredpairs of projections and depressions in segments of thirty to 180degrees, which end where they contact other units of the lsame type, theprojections being approximately .trapezoidal in cross-section, of heightfrom a millimeter to one centimeter, distributed parallel to otherprojections in the same unit at distances therefrom from one millimeterto one centimeter, the ratio of projection height to said distance beingfrom about 1:1 to 1:7, the projections being free from surfacediscontinuities while the depressions contain openings of width up tothat of the depression, which openings serve to accentuate the lines ofthe projections and depressions, thereby increasing the pleasingsilk-like appearance of the ceiling tile and at the same timecooperating with the sound channelling, confining and reflectingprojections to deaden undesirable noise, the tile surface projectionsand depressions being uninterrupted by other projections and depressionsthan herein described which would destroy the visu-al impression givenof a silk-like surface.

6. An acoustical ceiling tile which simultaneously deadens undesirablenoise and ygives a viewer the visual impression of a silk-like surfaceby presenting to his eyes ever-changing areas of reflected light andshadow which comprises a substantially flat, straight sided, lightweight base of cellul'osic, fibrous, sound absorbent material capable ofbeing nailed, stapled or cemented to a ceiling structure, tongue Iandgroove edges on the base for interlocking said tile with other suchtiles for assembly on a ceiling and a surface portion of fibrous,cellulosic sound absorbent material which comprises repeated wavyparfallel alternating projecting and depressed curvilinearly andsubstantially concentrically disposed areas in units of ten to fiftypairs of projections and depressions in segments of thirty to 180degrees and containing a variety of sizes of such segments ywithin therange given, the segments ending where they contact other units of thesame general type, the projections being approximately trapezoidal incross-section, of height from one to ve millimeters, at la distance Iofone .to ive millimeters from other projections in the same unit, theratio of projection height to said distance `being from 1:1 to 1:7, theprojections being free from surface discontinuities while thedepressions contain circular holes which penetrate the surface portionand the base, said holes being of a diameter of one to five millimeters`and not exceeding the distance across the depressed area, the holesserving to accentuate the curves of the projections and depressions andthereby increase the pleasing visual silk-like appearance of the ceilingtile and lat the same time cooperating with the soundproong reflectingprojections to deaden undesirable noise, the tile su-race projectionsand depressions being uninterrupted by other projections and depressionsthan herein described which would destroy the visual impression given ofa silk-like surface.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS420,929 Church Feb. 11, 1890 800,931 Meeker Oct. 3, 19105 2,248,233Heritage July 8, 19'41 2,954,838 Nuorivaara Oct. 4, 1960 2,967,583 JackJan. 10, 1961 3,035,657 Lemon May 22, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 460,404 GreatBritain Ian. 27, 1937 1,123,134 France cn-.-- June 4, 1956

1. A CEILING TILE WHICH SIMULTANEOUSLY HELPS TO DEADEN UNDESIRABLE NOISEAND PRESENTS TO A VIEWER EVER-CHANGING CURVED AREAS OF LIGHT AND SHADOW,GIVING THE VISUAL IMPRESSION OF A SILK-LIKE SURFACE, COMPRISING ASUBSTANTIALLY FLAT BASE CAPABLE OF BEING NAILED, STAPLED OR CEMENTED TOA CEILING, MEANS ON SUCH BASE FOR INTERCONNECTING SAID TILE WITH OTHERSUCH TILES FOR ASSEMBLY ON A CEILING AND A SURFACE PORTION OF SOUNDABSORBENT MATERIAL CONTAINING ALTERNATING PROJECTING AND DEPRESSEDCURVILINEARLY DISPOSED AREAS CONCENTRICALLY DISPOSITIONED IN UNITSCOMPRISING A PLURALITY OF PROJECTED AND DEPRESSED CURVES, ENDING WHERETHEY CONTACT OTHER SUCH UNITS.